Cold Cash Congressman William Jefferson Convicted

(Alexandria, Virginia) Former Democrat Rep. William J. Jefferson of Louisiana was convicted today on 11 federal corruption charges by a jury that deliberated for five days.

Jefferson was acquitted on criminal counts related to theft, obstruction and a bribery charge tied to the $90,000 found in his freezer.

Jefferson, who lost a re-election bid last year after serving nine terms, was convicted instead of 11 corruption-related counts, taking bribes in exchange for helping American businesspeople involved in oil, sugar and telecommunications ventures gain access to West African countries. Jefferson tried to conceal the bribes through shell companies and sham consulting agreements, prosecutors said. [...]

But ironically, it's the cold, hard cash that people likely will remember best. Prosecutors said Jefferson took the freezer cash from an FBI informant and planned to use the money to bribe the then-vice president of Nigeria to help secure a telecommunications contract.

The evidence was not convincing regarding the $90,000 in freezer cash so the jury acquitted Jefferson on that count. Nevertheless, the former congressman will likely always be remembered for the cold cash.

A sentencing date is TBD. Jefferson reportedly faces substantial prison time.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.